Walker: taking responsibility for decisions

Like the time he came to St. Louis from his home in Memphis, Tenn., to help his older brother move in to his dorm at Washington University. For Walker, who was between his sophomore and junior years in high school, it was love at first sight. He decided that summer day that Washington University was the place for him when his time came to go off to college.

Or the time he decided to run for senior class president at the University -- in his sophomore year. His brother had run for the office and, even though he didn't win, Walker wanted to keep the family tradition alive. So much so that Walker started campaigning for the office while still only a sophomore. "Wherever I'd go -- the weight room, classes -- I'd introduce myself and say, 'I'm going to run for senior class president, so remember to vote for me,'" he recalled.

So it's appropriate that when Walker addresses his fellow students during the Commencement ceremony, he will talk about decisions. "Life is made up of decisions -- they make up who we are and what experiences we have," said Walker, who is receiving a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the School of Engineering and Applied Science. "Decisions that we made when we first got to Washington University and that we will continue to make will shape how we live our lives today and in the future. We need to take responsibility for the consequences of those decisions, whether they be positive or negative."

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